My dog got Rimadyl early and won't eat. Is it an emergency?

Hi there. So if I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like she just had one extra dose of Rimadyl at 2:30 am Thursday morning - is that right? While it's true that we always want to stick to the label dosage with this medication, as there is a risk of causing serious side effect issues with higher doses and/or giving it more frequently than prescribed, I would generally not expect to see any major issues with just one accidental "extra" dose. Most of the toxicity issues we see with this medication are related to dogs getting into the bottle and eating a large number of pills at once, or with chronic overdosing over a longer period of time. If your girl is acting normal, eating and drinking fine, and not vomiting, then I don't see any major cause for concern right now. I would definitely recommend calling your regular vet to let them know about the extra dose and make sure they don't recommend doing anything different - but otherwise, I would just monitor her for any problems, and stick to the prescribed dosing schedule from here on out. The main things to watch for would be vomiting, or not eating - if you see either of those symptoms, I would let your vet know right away. If you feel like she's still somewhat painful in between Rimadyl doses, you could also ask your vet about getting her a different pain medication that would be safe to give along with the Rimadyl if she seems painful at night before her next scheduled dose, such as tramadol or gabapentin.

Hi there. It's certainly possible for dogs to have a mild upset stomach for 12-24 hours after an anesthetic episode, but it would be unusual to see this three days later - especially with such severe symptoms. I would recommend having her rechecked by your veterinarian tomorrow morning, or going to the ER tonight if she seems overly distressed or lethargic. It's possible that she could have a stomach ulcer as a result of the Rimadyl (uncommon, but can happen occasionally even with appropriate dosing), or may have some other problem that may or may not be related to her surgery. It sounds like she needs an exam and likely some lab work +/- x-rays to help determine what's going on and see what kind of treatment is needed.

Hi there. I'm assuming you mean Rimadyl? If so, this medication should NEVER be given more frequently than directed by your veterinarian, since overdoses can cause serious damage to the stomach and kidneys. I would recommend calling your veterinarian tomorrow morning to see what they suggest - they may ask you to skip Evie's next scheduled dose. You will also need to monitor her for any signs of a problem such as vomiting or not wanting to eat, and take her in right away to be seen if any problems are noted.

Poor Taffy! No, do not give Taffy that medication. NSAIDs can cause severe go irritation and even perforate the intestines. NSAIDs are given a 'wash out period' between dosing and it is generally 5 days between meds. Those signs are consistent with another illness and they are concerning for something more serious. Acting disoriented is not normal and is always worrisome. I recommend to try to find an emergency clinic near you and get her in today if possible. Otherwise, offer her a bland diet of boiled chicken and plain white rice. Massage her known arthritis areas and you can apply a warm heat (not too hot as they can get burned!!) to the areas. If you can't get her in today, get her in first thing tomorrow. That should help tp keep her more comfortable. I hope this is helpful and that Taffy starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions.

If he is still taking the Rimadyl I would stop giving it and call your vet as soon as they are open. He probably should got back to your vet for a follow-up. It may not be related to the Rimadyl at all but it is better to be safe than sorry. Even though he is eating and drinking, that much pacing and restlessness is not normal.

Normally, a one-time double dose of Rimadyl will not cause any serious problems - but if you're concerned, you can always call the vet who prescribed the medication to ask they want you to bring Rocky in. If Rocky has any vomiting over the next 2-3 days, acts lethargic or doesn't want to eat, then I would recommend having him checked by a vet.

She could be a little lethargic just from the stress and also from the rimadyl. I would continue to keep her confined and don't let her jump, play, or run. Rimadyl can cause them to be lethargic sometimes - it isn't very common, but I have a few patients who react this way. If she starts to worry you, stops eating/drinking or starting to not be walking properly, I would have your vet take another look at her. I hope that helps!